USL, Discrimination, and Performative Allyship
The following is an editorial submission and does not directly reflect the collective opinion of all FMFC supporters who align themselves with the mission of The Flock.
Words: Kyle Carr • Video: San Diego Loyal
A few weeks ago, the San Diego Loyal were leading a match against the Phoenix Rising but at halftime there was discussion over a homophobic slur being used to openly gay Loyal player Colin Martin. The phrase was said by a Phoenix Rising player and the Loyal decided to not continue playing the game and forfeiting. The player was suspended and the coach of the Rising has been placed on leave for his handling of the situation. USL took the Loyal’s forfeit and awarded three points to Phoenix. It was far from a satisfying conclusion but it seemed like that was going to be the end of that situation. That is until today where the ramifications of the forfeit are still present.
As reported by Jeff Rueter, thanks to those three points, Phoenix is currently level with Louisville City for points this season with 35 however should Phoenix win its Western Conference final match against El Paso Locomotive and Louisville wins its Eastern Conference final against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Phoenix would host the USL final due to superior goal difference. Phoenix’s ABC affiliate reporter Adam Waltz stated on October 3rd that Rising tried to forfeit the points but FIFA wouldn’t allow them to. Long story short, Phoenix is potentially on the verge of hosting a USL Final because a player used hate speech; let that sink in.
Why is it up to FIFA to make this call? Why hasn’t USL simply stepped in and taken charge of a situation happening in their own league? USL’s silence throughout this whole thing is inexcusable and quite frankly a damning stance on their “commitment” against discrimination and racism.
You can’t make these claims that you're against hate and then do absolutely nothing when a player uses a racial slur
You can’t claim to be against hate when you essentially allow a team to get three points, in a match they were losing by the way, for using a homophobic slur
You can’t say Black Lives Matter and then turn around and put out a half ass statement saying you’re suspending the player
You can’t promote Pride but then let a team be rewarded with three points and potentially hosting a final because a player used a homophobic slur
It just shows you will say these things for basic PR but you don’t truly believe in it.
You would think with all of these VPs at USL HQ, one of them would have the capacity to step up and at least try to handle it. USL’s leadership needed to try and take a step in the right direction and at the very least, not allow Phoenix to host the final. Maybe Rising decide they don’t want to host but it should not be entirely on them to do the right thing. USL can’t continue to hide behind these franchises and rulebooks and not do the work themselves. But then again, it’s not affecting USL’s pockets so they probably don’t give too much of a damn, they can wait for the next expansion team to buy in and simply call it good.
Hear me on this: I’m not saying Phoenix’s fans are evil, homophobic etc. There are fans that are trying to push their club into doing the right thing and to them we should appreciate those efforts. But the fans can’t look at the situation and say, “Well, it’s not Phoenix’s fault,” and we can’t conclude that taking away hosting rights is a punishment to the supporters, because if USL HQ had done the right thing initially, Phoenix wouldn’t have hosted anyway. You can’t punish fans for something they shouldn’t have received in the first place. USL’s continued silence and inaction is showing their true colors: they are all talk and no action. If that’s truly the case, we as fans need to realize that when we say we are inclusive and want this sport to make everyone feel welcomed, we have to stand by it and hold those in power accountable.
Kyle Carr is one of the founders of Featherstone Flamingos, a Flock At-Large Director, and the current head of our Matchday Ops committee. Kyle is also a big fan of the Milwaukee Bucks and writes for a fan blog site called Brew Hoop. When he’s not quarantined and/or we’re not living in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, you can probably find him eating at some restaurant in Madison and/or hanging out with his family, dog (Gio) and cat (Pico) #BuyThisSh*t
